Microsoft’s My Phone backup service for Windows Mobile devices has shifted into public beta, meaning that anyone can now sign up and test out the system. My Phone uses an on-device backup client to synchronize contacts, calendar entries, SMS messages and media with the cloud, as well as offering a web interface through which they can be viewed, edited and added to.
In-the-wild photos of Sprint’s version of the HTC Snap, according to the leaked roadmap the HTC “Willow”, have leaked. The specifications are believed to be the same as the Snap we’ve already seen, although the battery is apparently a vast 1,500mAh unit (almost doubling the 800mAh pack in the Snap) and WiFi seems to have been removed.
Microsoft have announced a new Facebook client for Windows Mobile phones, and you won’t have to wait for Windows Mobile 6.5 in order to use it. The free app will work on any 6.0, 6.1 or 6.5 smartphone, touchscreen or non-touchscreen, and will allow full messaging, video and photo uploads and integration with the handset’s phone features to place calls direct from Facebook profiles.
Microsoft have announced their twelve commandments for their Windows Marketplace for Mobile download store, and they seem to have taken a leaf out of Apple’s book. The new list [pdf link] concerns itself with “prohibited application types”, and as well as the perhaps expected software – carrier-unfriendly VoIP, anything that secretly shares the user’s data or GPS position – there’s also some bad news for Handango and other software download services.
Interestingly, now that Microsoft have finally stepped into the on-device app distribution arena, they’re keen to make sure users stay within their service. Although the company has previously confirmed that other software download systems are welcome to develop and release rival app-stores, rules one and two are that software must not “distribute alternate marketplaces” or “promote alternate marketplaces”. Similar, Microsoft are keen to get their slice of the licensing pie, with rule three forbidding apps that direct buyers to an external page for payment.
Full list after the cut
A new job listing for a Lead Software Development Engineer over at Microsoft seems to point to a much easier way for users to update their Windows Mobile devices. This new method is called Device Update and would act as a one-stop shop for users looking to update their devices with patches, new features, and more.
There’s no denying that Windows Mobile 6.5 will bring with it plenty of functionality improvements, but we’d be lying if we said the new themes and general sprucing up of the whole OS visually weren’t another draw. Screenshots of the new WM6.5 themes – the handiwork of designers including Diane von Fürstenberg and Vera Wang – have emerged, and they look a whole lot better than Windows Mobile 6.1 ever did.
More theme screenshots after the cut
Celio, best known for their controversial REDFLY smartphone companion devices, have released the first beta of their REDFLY Mobile Viewer. The app, currently for Windows XP or Vista systems only, allows Windows Mobile smartphones to be connected to a standard PC and their software used at up to 1024 x 768 resolution.
Today at CTIA, Samsung announced the Mondi, a small, Windows Mobile powered device, featuring WiMax and WiFi capabilities. The Mondi has a 4.3″ touch screen, packs Bluetooth 2.1, a 3MP camera with video capture, a full slide out QWERTY keyboard, HDMI out, and 4GB of internal storage.
Not content with giving out details of the Windows Marketplace for Mobile content partners, developer policy and more, Microsoft have released a video of the app-store in action. In the video you can see the Marketplace interface, together with the review system.
Video demo after the cut
MySpace and Microsoft have announced that they will collaborate to produce a MySpace for Windows Mobile application, based on Silverlight. Set to launch this summer, the app will not only offer access to MySpace’s main social features, but apparently integrate some of that functionality into the smartphone OS.
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